Jazz legend Thara Memory was first featured on Oregon Art Beat back in 2001 when he showed yet another side to his musical talents - conducting the premiere of his original symphony, “Middle Passage” at Marylhurst University in formal attire!

This renowned jazz artist is well known for his exquisite trumpet playing in clubs all around town, but when Art Beat caught up with Memory, he was once again, sharing his extraordinary talents in yet another way.

Thara Memory mentoring students in the American Music Program Jazz Orchestra

OPB

Memory has been training a new generation of jazz musicians and taking these aspiring high-schoolers to New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center to compete in the prestigious Essentially Ellington contest. This program, lead by Memory, called the American Music Program Jazz orchestra, is located in Portland and works with young students from the Portland Public School system and surrounding communities to mentor and train professional musicians.

American Music Program Jazz Orchestra performing at the Essentially Ellington Contest

Memory chose Ellington’s composition Tattooed Bride for the students to play, “I chose the song because it was the hardest one. And I was intending to make some kind of mark and the kids went right with me.”

Thara Memory speaking at the Essentially Ellington Contest

They certainly made an impression as you’ll see in this Art Beat update!